Automobile body construction



Feb. 9, 1932. o. J. GRCEHN AUTOMOBILE BODY CONSTRUCTION 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept.

Eor/zeys Feb. 9, 1,932. l 0, if GRQEHN 33,844,356

AUTOMOBILE BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed Sep. lO. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 9, 19.32

- UNITED STATES PATENT AoFFlcE l l lOTTO J'. GBOEH'N', 0F POINTE PARK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO HUDSON MOTOR l GAR COMPANY,/0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN AUTOMOBILE BODY CONSTRUCTION' Application mea september 1o, 192s. serial No. 305,078.l l

I All metal automobile bodies such as are now quite extensively used while having distinct advantages from `the standpoint of strength, durability and economy of produce tion over the older types of wood and comr 'posite bodies have been found to be objectionable and noisy in use due in part at least 35; tallic ring.

An object of this invention is to provide improved means for overcoming the foregoing objections and of such character as to be readily applicable to bodies of existing design zo without requiring material changes in the lat ter and without substantially increasing the cost of production. In carrying out the invention in this aspect thereof a non-metallic backing is applied against the sheet metal parts to deaden their resonance and thereby prevent metallic noises characteristic of bodies of this type. In accordance with one feature of the invention the non-metallicmaterial, preferably in the form of a sheet, is

held lin engagement with portions of the metal body, such as the inner face of the outer v panel' by a retaining strip or panel, preferably of metal which is forced ,outward and held under tension by ribs thereon engaging abutments on the body. For example, a sheet of non-metallic sound deadening material may be held in engagement with the inner surface of the outer door panel by a strip or sheet of metal interposed between the door pillars and provided with ribs which engage the pillars and spring the body of the strip or sheet outwardly towards the outer panel.

I The invention also contemplates deadening the sound of the metal body by interposing a non-metallic material between the interior .trim panels 'and pillars.

A further object of the invention4 is to provide an improved means forapplying trim to a metallic body panel, this improvement being shownf by way of example in the present case in connection with the trimming of the door.

' Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited .in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in ,the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried outl in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or termi-` nology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended as considered in view ofthe prior art and the requirements thereof. e

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which: y i

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a door for an autdomobile body embodying the invention, an

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken upon the lines 2-2, 3 3, 4 4, 5-5 and 6--6 respectively ofFig. 1.

The invention'isherein shown as embodied in an automobile door comprising a suitable frame including pillars 10 which are connected by an inner cross member 11 which may be integral therewith. i'lhe outer edge of each pillar is provided with a flange 12 andthe cross member 11 is provided with a flange 13. The edges of an outer panel 14 are crimped around the anges 12 and 13 as shown at 14a. A cross member 16 extends between the tops of the pillars 10 and is connected thereto 1n any suitable manner. This cross member is also provided at its edge with a flange 17 around which the edge of the outer panel 14 is crimped. The outer panel 14 is provided with an inturned flange 18 defining a window opening 19.

In accordance with one feature of the in 95 vention a sheet of non-metallic sound deadening material 20 is placed against the inner ,face of the outer panel 14 and is clamped and `pressed firmly in place against'the panel 14 by a retainer strip .or panel 21, preferably of sheet metal, the'side edges of which are interposed between the ilanges 12 of the pillars 10 yand the outer panel 14, as shown in Fig. 5.

The retainer 21 in the present instance is in the form of a metal sheet extending from the belt line molding below the window yopening to the lower edge of the door. The strip 21, as shown, is provided with vertical ribs or abutments 22 adapted to abut against the edges of the pillars. The retainer is sprung into position and is bowed outwardly somewhat under tension so as to force the body of the retainer sheet or strip outwardly towards the outer panel and press the sheet of nonmetallic material resiliently thereagainst. A strip of non-metallic material 24 may also be placed upon the inner face of the outer panel 14 around the window opening and is held in place by a retainer strip 25, preferably of sheet metal, having a rib or abutment 26 adjacent one edge thereof engaging the pillar, and with its edge interposed between the pillar and outer panel, as shown in Fig. 6. The other edge of theIk strip 25 is adapted to engage an abutment, such as a llange 26a, upon the inner edge of the window opening ,flange 18 and thereby spring the strip 25 outwardly against the strip of non-metallic material 24 and press the same resiliently against the Outer paneL If;y desired a strip of nonmetallic material 30 may be held 1n engagement with the member 11 as by rivets 31.

The metallic resonance of the body is effectively deadened bythe provisions of the invention. The sound produced by closing, a door embodying the invention is very similar to that produced in closing a wooden door of the older types. The construction for clamping the sound deadening material in place against the inner face of the outer` panel is particularly advantageous inasmuch as the panel is not only sound probfed but at the same time is materially stiffened.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, it will be seenjthat I have provided'a method of trimf ming the inner face of the door panel without requiring a special construction of the pillars to attach the trim. Secured by suitable.

clinch nuts 331along the anges 10b of the pillars are combined trim and clamping stripsv 32. Each of these comprises a metal strip 32a bent ort stamped into approximate U- sha e to form a longitudinal preferably we ge shaped channel. This strip is covered with trim cloth 326 which is interposed between the metal piece 32a and the pillar l,iiange 10b. A trim panel comprising a stif flexible sheet 35 covered with cloth 36, is wedged at opposite ed es into the wedge shaped grooves formedgby the members 32 and thereby clamped in osition. f

'The foregoing provi es an eiective trim assembly in whlch the attaching devices 33 are Lconcealed, and an attractively trimmed panel is produced whleat the same time providing a construction which will be relatively simple and inexpensive. f

What I claim is:

1. In anautomobile body,'a door comprising frame members including a pair of pillars and cross members extending between the tops and bottoms of said pillars and secured thereto, acsheet metal panel secured to said pillars and cross members and having a Window opening, a non-metallic material overlying the inner face of saidpanel around and below said window opening, means for holding the non-'metallic .material around said window opening against said panel including aholding strip having one edge interposed between said panel and one of said frame members, means for maintaining said strap under tension to force said non-metallicy material against said anel including an abutment on said strip a apted toengage said member, and means for holdin metallic material below said win ow opening against said panel including a holding strip having abutments engaging said pillars and maintaining'said strip 1n position to exert a resilient pressure against said anel.

2. In an automoblle body, a oor comprising frame members and cross members extending between the tops and bottoms of said pillars and secured thereto, an outer panel secured to said pillars and cross members, a sheet of non-'metallic material overlyin the inner face of said panel, a holding strip aving one edge interposed between said panel and one of said frame members, and means said nonfor maintaining said strip under tension to :force said non-metallic material against said panel including an abutment on said strip adapted to engage said frame member.

3. In an automobile body, a pair of spaced pillars, a sheet metal panel extending across the outer faces of said pillars, non-metallic material overlying the inner face of the panel, and a transverse metallic strip havin its ends disposed between, the pillars and panel, said strip having abutments engaging and bent around said flanges, and a trans- A verse metallic strip having its opposite ends extending between the inner face of the panel l and said flanges, said strip having abutments engaging the sideswof the pillars and holding the strip under outward pressure against said panel.

5. In an automobile body, a door comprising a pair ofr pillars, a sheet metal panel covering said pillars and forming a window opening, the panel having inwardly extendf 111g anges around thev window Io eningfa non-metallic material overlying t e inner face of the anges, and a metallic strip held under tension against said material and flanges and provided with an abutment engaging the pillar.

6. In an automobile body, a pair of spaced pillars, a sheet metal panel extending across the outer faces of said pillars anda metal strip extending transversely between said pillars and panel, sound deadening ma-s terial between the opposed faces of the strip and panel, said strip having abutments engaging the sides of the pillars'for maintaining the strip in position to exert outward pressure on the panel.

7. 1n an automobile body, a pair of spaced pillars, a sheet metal panel extending across the outer faces of said pillars, a transverse metal strip having its opposite ends clamped between said panel and pillar, sound deadening material between the strip and panel, said strip having intermediate its ends abutments engaging the pillars to hold the strip in position to exert pressure on the panel.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

OTTO J. GROEHN. 

